Youtube Must Watch List 2013

There was a time when there was just Doordarshan for entertainment, books for knowledge and Femina for fashion. Then came cable TV and there was a channel for each of these things. As a child, it was a big change, from subtle images of a bee stinging a flower that got the mind in conflict and the imagination in full swing to the very direct scandalous American  TV shows like The Bold And The Beautiful..

It was a lot to understand, accept and get used to...it changed a lot of things..most of all fashion and beauty. From Chandini's white salwaar kameez and Sridevi's plain saris to the 90210 teens in jeans and bikinis, cable TV exposed us to a world of contrasts.

Then the internet, once I got accustomed to maneuvering the mouse ( I am a little lacking in coordination :) I dont think I even took the doctor's prescription without googling it first.
And now youtube..what would I do without youtube. I dont believe celebrities talking about a product anymore. Imagine Karishma Kapoor making Mccain aloo tikki at home or Juhi Chawla eating kurkure or Salman Khan knowing which detergent would be gentle on clothes and hands (Active Wheel)..
Id rather believe opinions of normal non celebs..which is why I practically youtube everything..from makeup tutorials to product reviews to DIY's..

Its fascinating what youtube has done for normal people like us - turned some into rockstars, some into stylists, some into beauty gurus who went on to launch their own line of make up...
Its even got the big luxury brands to reach out to us and make their products aspirational ..

Here are some of the most watched youtube videos of 2013..the ones I love..
This J'adore film is so beautifully shot, it transforms me into the luxurious world where everything is beautiful and clean..
Ah! I want a J'adore now :)

Have you seen this makeup video...they makeup can transform people, this video is proof. For me watching it was fascinating in bits and scary at times..Oh my god what a transformation. this video has been one of the most watched and understandably so..It turned Cassandra into a celeb and a makeup guru..

If you are a DIY lover and the kind of girl who looks at most things and thinks.."I could make this at home" then this is the channel for you..
Recently I am on a major home beautifying project and this DIY is on my to do list for the week..doing it for my room for sure..watch it..cutest DIY for fashion lovers

And if you want to train like a celeb..all in the comfort of your home..go here and kill it with a sweaty workout..
anything for a killer bod and six pack abs!!

I hope you enjoyed the post..some of my favs of 2013!!

Do share your favourite youtube videos with me..xoxo

Fashion Week Street Style 2014

There are 4 basic seasons we learn about in school, namely, Summer, Spring, Monsoon and Winter season. And then there is a 5th season that we learn about from experience and from the media.
This new season is usually characterized with sightings of the most gigantic heels, sounds of camera clicks, blinding flashes, a frenzy of activity, a riot of colours. It is the time of the year when fashionistas descent upon Earth, revealing painfully built abs in the trendy crop top, the 'It' accessory of the season either rented from luxury renting services or acquired through a bank loan, EMI's of which will be paid long after the trend dies its sudden death.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am talking about the phenomenon called the "Fashion Week Season"
It has existed for as long as women and their love affair with beautiful clothes has, but its changed, in shape and form..it has grown gigantic and has transformed into a force to be reckoned with.
Fashion shows used to at one point be exclusive personal showings for elite customers and fashion lovers. Kristie Clements, ex editor of Vogue Australia says "we watched the show, as opposed to trying to be the show." True isn't it?
Today, when I get an invite to a fashion week, the first thing that I think of is "what will I wear?" does it matter? I don't really know..but it does matter to me..its my chance to stand out and shine..amongst thousands of others who come there to stand out and shine..
But fashion weeks and bloggers seem to love each other intensely and I am not complaining..it has made fashion more accessible to all of us, suddenly I feel like I can want a Sabyasachi and own it as much as Aishwarya Rai..
She gets a new one every few hours and I might have to save for 2 years to get one, but thats not the point...we are all aware now..we are all empowered now..we know what we want..and we can get it..bank loan or not..
I also absolutely adore, the 'street style' phenomena, the fashion that happens during fashion weeks but off the runway..remember, we all want to stand out..we all want to be remembered..
This does lead to such fabulous fashion, there is so much personality and creativity all around and it reflects so beautifully through individual styles and outfits..
Each street style picture captures a personality and a story....I love trying to decode these stories and read between the layers of clothes and creativity...
See for yourself..

source : ellecanada.com

source : ellecanada.com

source : ellecanada.com

source : ellecanada.com

source : ellecanada.com

source : ellecanada.com

source: popxo.com

source: popxo.com

More Fashion Week Posts on Lookinggoodfeelingfab.com
Inside Lakme Fashion Week
What I wore to Lakme Fashion Week 
More Fashion Week And Me
Fashion Week Madness

Appeasing The Rain Gods : Grey Kurta Dress

The only thing I like about the monsoons is the first shower, which is fantastic and beautiful. From the second shower on I am pretty much waiting for the whole thing to end. But this time of the year, the transition from summer to monsoons is just stunning, my heart sings, my hips sway, the skies are grey, the branches sway, the wind gets cooler, fragrant and sweet, there is newness and anticipation in everything...there is a miracle in every corner..a gift for the senses where ever you go.
I wish it could stay this way, but I know the rains need to come soon else we will all be in trouble..
So this is my way of appeasing the rain Gods, I am wearing colours of the monsoons, grey, white and just a hint of colour.
I dont know if you have noticed but this summer I have enjoyed wearing a lot of Westside kurtas as dresses.
There was this kurta and turban, then this bright quirky one and now this grey one specially for the rain Gods :)

Kurta : Westside

Watch : Bebe

Heels : Zara (Details here)

Summer Skirts And Other Obsessions

This summer I have acquired a new obsession - skirts. I think I am reliving my childhood days of summer holidays, ahhh!! don't you all miss those days? I have been wearing skirts a lot, all summer long and pairing them with different things, and this skirt has been my favourite.
I have worn it for brunch, shopping and just hanging out at home with a book, staring through the window at the summer showers on a cloudy day. While on the topic of books, the one I am currently reading has got me hooked, it has blown me away and I have learnt so much from it. Dying to tell you all about it in a post soon - but I just dont know where to start and where to end.

Bandra, Mumbai Why I Am Obsessed : Shopping, Eating And Loving

I live in Pune, which is a short drive away from Mumbai, so needless to say I have visited Mumbai often. Taking flights from the city, landing into it often, work meetings and social obligations, my visits have always been on a very strict time budget, a strong agenda and long to do lists. Never have these visits been aimless, random, unplanned and free from time limits.

So a few weeks back when I got a chance to spend a day in Bandra with no agenda and a strong desire to explore (Thank you Dora for the inspiration), I did just that.
I have to say, that the fun in Bandra is not in staying holed up in a luxurious hotel, dining at the 5 stars or national chains, it is not in shopping at the malls.

True Bandra love is in walking down the tiny lanes in Pali Hill, admiring the quaint tiny villas nestled between tall modern high rises. These villas have it all,   picket fences, adorable wooden gates, vintage facades, and a resilience to change. They continue to live in a different era while the world around spins at lightning speed.

It is in walking down Hill Road and Linking Road - a treat for any shopping addict, the thrill is not in the purchases but in the bargaining and the triumphant feeling of having scored a steal. I was left amused by what all you could find in tiny nooks and corners of Bandra streets, if you looked carefully enough.

It is also in the convenience of having a beautiful sea front right across the street and the feeling of constantly being surrounded by the sound of waves and a blanket of sea breeze.
It is in the tiny little eateries each reflecting a distinct personality borrowed from its owners, which lovingly serve the most delicious food - bagles, cakes, sandwiches, whatever you might fancy!

And then of course Bandra joy is in spotting a celebrity, Bandra does house a ton of celebrities and now I know why. Guess who I spotted??
Ranbir Kapoor!! Yes I did..

Watch the video for details of my shopping and eating spree.

Here are some more posts about my shopping obsession :)
Zara Westside sale haul 
More sale shopping

India Circus By Krsna Mehta : Haul And Review

There was a phase in my life that I now like to call "the safe phase", it was a time when I avoided even a trace hint of risk in any decision. My choices when it came to dressing myself and my home proclaimed "safe" accompanied with a big yawn. My walls were always white, the wall art was safe, sparse and standard, even the upholstery was within the same colour family, having veered dangerously to tan on one occasion.
Just when I had justified every safe decision in my head and was slipping into a zone of comfort believing that this was me and not the fear of risk, an interior magazine featured the home of designer Krsna Mehta.
I remember looking at those pages again and again, loving the riot of colours even more with each view. Within a few moments all my beliefs were shattered and I was left asking myself the question "is this me or have I confined myself into a safe mold?"

That is really when my love affair with Krsna Mehta's designs started. He brought colour on my walls and into my life. And then I had the opportunity to observe the master in action at a store opening in a quaint part of Pune. The moment I entered the bunglow I noticed a distinct Krsna Mehta stamp, there were crows painted on the walls, colour everywhere, so much personality and the designer himself was spinning around in the space making sure every little product was placed beautifully. My respect for him and his designs went up manifold that day.
The fact that he took on the digital space at the right time and carved a niche for 'India Circus' proves to me beyond any shred of doubt that the guy is not just a creative maverick but also a business genius. In my mind he can do no wrong and neither can his brand.

I recently got myself a few pieces of 'India Circus', and if like me you are a lover of any or all of the things below, 'Indian Circus is bound to be your haven..
1. If you love colours.
2. If you love and enjoy the quirkiness of a land called India.
3. If you are obsessed with modes of transport like the taxi, the auto, the cycle...
4. Or you are a lover of animals, the deer, elephants, horses, cows...
5. If you believe you were a Mughal prince in your last birth or have an affinity for Mughal princesses..

6. If you love the unconventional.
7. If you appreciate speedy service and delivery.
8. If like me, the product packaging is sometimes more important to you than the product itself..
9. If you want great quality at equally great prices.
10. If you love yourself enough to enjoy some risks.....
If you haven't experienced the magic of India Circus yet..head on there now, they have some lovely offers too..

Tech Troubles And Myntra.com

Each one of us, has, at some point heard about the joy's of running a business online - work in your pajamas, work out of your favorite cafe, work at your own time...and on and on..
But the sorrows and frustrations of working online are endless too, often leaving me devastated and overwhelmed.

Lately my computer and my camera have not been on talking terms, they got along just fine till a day ago but suddenly things have turned a little sour. I seem to be the referee trying to resolve the matter between two very stubborn parties and all I get in return is antagonism from both sides.
When faced with any technology related issue I follow a very carefully engineered Standard Operating Procedure.
Step 1 : Restart the device.
If step 1 fails to resolve issue
Step 2 : Shake the device vigorously, a light tap or a hard kick whatever works first.
If step 2 fails to resolve issue
Step 3 : Head to Mr. Know it all - google and Mrs Know it all - youtube.
If step 3 fails
Step 4 : Deep breathing, meditation and yoga asanas.
Start again from step 1
Repeat cycle 5 times before giving up and requesting troubleshooting services from the neighborhood teen geek who resolves it in a second.
Proceed to feel like a complete idiot.
Happens all the time..
How many bloggers and internet entrepreneurs agree?? Am I the only one?? seriously??
Anyway, so now on to my leisure time online, I got this maxi dress from myntra.com...it was love at first sight and the moment I lay eyes on it, i knew we were meant to be.
Myntra has such a huge selection of products that I can remain lost in this space for hours together and their service is unbeatable too, my dress arrived neatly packaged within just a day and a half.
I styled the dress two ways..

1. The Layered Look
leggings, maxi dress and floral jacket. The dress is pretty long for me, so I added a belt and pulled the excess length over the belt.

2. The Casual Look
Honestly, not really my style..I tried to do something out of my comfort zone and I guess the discomfort shows..hehe

Dress : c/o Myntra.com (here)

Leggings : Old

Floral jacket : thrifted old

Sneakers : Bata

Hairband : Gift

Doing The Sporty Chic Trend The Chic Way

So I know 'sporty chic' is the trend of the season, but what does 'sporty chic' really mean..
Does sporty chic mean we can now go from gym to work without needing a change?
 Liberating as it may sound stinky and sweaty can never be chic.
Sneakers to work?
Sporty as sneakers may be....... chic for work they are not, on any day other than casual Friday.
And while we are at it, lets also clarify that a sports bra does not equal a crop top and a routine of a pizza and 20 crunches a day never gave anyone a six pack ripped enough for a crop top.
A shiny leotard is just for a 70's theme party and a cap worn back in front is not saving you from a bad hair day. A sweat band worn inside an air-conditioned car makes not an 'it accessory' unless you are the kind who stacks dumbbells in the car and breaks into bicep curls at every traffic signal.
So how can we do sporty chic the chic way...here are some rules I follow..and if you, like me, are not a supermodel or Deepika Padukone these should work.
Supermodels and Deepika, you could look good in a spongebob squarepants costume (Imagine it, no seriously..)

1. Add just one sporty element to the look, if you are feeling super adventurous maybe 2, but never do head to toe sporty.
2. Sneakers should be paired with skinny pants or the mini midi length skirts and dresses (unless you are very tall)
3. If you are wearing sporty pants and silhouettes add a pair of sexy heels for a generous dose of chic to your sporty.
4. Pick pieces that have a sporty silhouettes but use chic high fashion prints or fabrics..or vice versa (eg. my sporty hooded jacket is made of ladylike chic lace)
5. Wear oversize sweat shirts and sporty t shirts with body-con skirts and dresses for effortless glamour.
6. When in doubt just add a few sporty accessories and stay away from the rest. Sporty sunglasses, watches and bags.

There are a lot of people who hate the word 'rule' and love getting into arguments with anyone who uses the term, so Id like to clarify that these are my rules and by no means am I trying to impose them on anyone.
There are those who are 4 ft tall, live on pizza's and can still wear sweat shorts, sports bra's, sneakers and look like a million bucks (according to them)..well...more power to you girl..
Unfortunately I am not one of those lucky girls, so these are my rules and you could choose to disagree.
So what are your rules (if any) for doing 'sporty chic' the chic way?
Also read Coffee With Lilia

Indian Fashion In Summer Brights

I hope you all had a lovely weekend. Most of mine was spent trying to get back on track after a very indulgent week long vacation. I was not very successful though, I think its the weather all I want to eat is ice cream, cold cramy rasmalai and cold coffee.
I also updated the 'Services' page on the blog, its now called 'Shopping And Styling Services'. It felt like an empty room for all this time, I finally did some decorating and added some personality. If you enjoy your time on the blog, I am sure you will find a service that you will enjoy.
If you happen to know someone who might find our services useful, do share the page with them too. Thanks in advance.
As for the fashion bit of the post, I am in love with these colours. A few years back I would never have thought of combining them and would have never dared to execute colours this bold together. Its strange how we tend to limit our own selves in every aspect of life. "I cant wear this, its not for me" " I cant dance as well as her" " I am not good with languages" " I dont think I could ever look like that" I have heard these often and when we say these things we just end up creating a glass ceiling for ourselves.
So cheers to some summer colour blocking and cheers to trying new things.
Also, you must have noticed that I have this obsession with finding the oldest and most vintage looking facades and using them as a background for my shoots. This door with its teal colour paint peeling off fit the bill perfectly.

Palazzo pants are proving to be my favourite summer companion and staple, you can see more of them
Buddha and Pallazzo pants
Kurta and Palazzo pants

Cotton Top : stitched

Palazzo Pants :  Local Pune Store

Bag : London

Summer Whites And Elections

Its election time, so lets discuss parties, candidates and agendas...wait wait..before you run away...no really seriously I am not going to have a BJP vs Congress debate here..too much of that happening every where else..

But while we are on the topic of elections, I cant help but be totally impressed by the marketing and the branding that team Modi is doing. Its not vote BJP, its vote Modi. The depth and width of this marketing campaign has left me so totally impressed with the sophisticated and young approach the campaign has taken. Along with using the standard means of campaigning and canvassing they have taken the internet and social media by storm. I spend a lot of time online and Mr Modi seems to follow me where ever I go on the net. Its like he is on a relentless quest to get noted and noticed.

Even when I am in the car, Mr Modi seems to not let me forget about his presence, between every 'blue hai pani pani' and 'London thumakda' is Mr Modi with his wise cracks..
Bahut hui mahangayi ki maar, Ab ki baar Modi sarkaar
Bahut hua naari par vaar, Ab ki baar Modi sarkaar or my favourites
I dont know who you are, Ab ki baar Modi sarkaar
Safed hai cement, kaala hai taar, Ab ki baar Modi sarkar

So what do you think of my car? Ab ki baar Modi sarkaar
and one for the kids, Twinkle twinkle little star, Ab ki baar Modi sarkaar.
I know ridiculous right??
But they do the job, they stick in the head and even make you smirk at just how stupid some of them are. They are easy to remember, they linger in the head and they honestly are very hard to ignore, because they are everywhere.
Smart marketing and campaign building. I would love to know who the brains behind this whole exercise is.
Genius I say!! I bow down to thee, it proves that smart slick marketing needs no help from Bollywood and celebs.

Anyway, back to fashion and Summers..
I gave up denims some time back, remember this post?? So instead I am wearing white pants made from chikankari cotton, love how light they are, perfect to beat the sweltering summer sun. Paired it with my new thrifted alphabet shirt and statement neck piece..

Pants : Tailored

Shirt  : Thrift (Rs 250)

Heels : Catwalk

Necklace : Thrift old

Lifelessons With Cindy Crawford

You are sure to remember Cindy Crawford grace covers of magazines in the most stunning couture gowns and teeny tiny bikinis, never thought she could look killer in just a pair of simple old jeans and a shirt - she does. And she not only looks stunning, she comes across as a very intelligent and grounded woman who can speak so well too.
I am talking about Cindy Crawford's lifeclass which just made my Sunday evening absolutely perfect - giant juicy cherry on my lemon gelato kind of perfect.
I would strongly recommend listening to and watching the beautiful Cindy Crawford as she talks about her life and all the lessons learnt from it.
Once I got over how lovely she looked, I did take away a lot from it.

It talks about 5 questions that we need to ask ourselves at various stages in life, to help us find happiness.
The first question being 'Have you found your passion in life?'
Now I know that is a pretty obvious thing, every life coach and guru talks about 'finding your passion' being the first step. But have we taken the time to think about it? Have we thought about the things that make us happy and why?

Another big relief was hearing that finding your passion does not always come easily, at 20 something you don't have to really know what your mission in life is you don't have to be on that path at 20.
I love that, because I spent most of my 20's fretting over the fact that I did not know what I wanted to do, I had no idea what my passion was and how I could actualize it. There was a burning obsessive desire in me to start doing 'something', I just did not know what that 'something' was.
I constantly felt 'lack' and I felt I was letting myself down...hearing Cindy say those words made me feel relief, made me feel ok, made me feel like I am not too late..this is just the start.
Now I want to know this from you......
Are you a thinker like me?
Did you have any 'ahhhha' moments reading this?
Would you like to discuss life and living it beautifully with me? 
Would you like to see more posts about the lessons life has taught me and you? More videos?
What has been a turning point moment in your life, big or small...
Tell me I am waiting to hear from you...waiting to learn from you...leave me a comment below or mail me at
lookingoodfeelingfab@gmail.com